Aircraft History
Built by North American. Assigned to the 17th Bombardment Group, 95th Bombardment Squadron.
Nicknamed "Ruptured Duck" with nose art of Disney Donald Duck character with crossed crutches. One of sixteen B-25's assigned to the "Doolittle Raid".

Mission History Took off from the USS Hornet (CV-8) as part of the "Doolittle Raid". This B-25 took off as aircraft number seven. Over the target, this B-25 dropped three demolition bombs and one incendiary bomb on an industrial section of Tokyo.

After the raid, this bomber ditched in the China Sea west of Shangchow, China. The crew members were badly injured, three injured, one slightly injured took to the life raft. Thatcher was only slightly injured and swam back to the wreck to get the medical kit from inside.

Fates of the Crew Chinese fishermen were persuaded by Thatcher to carry his injured crew mates to temporary safety. Then for three days Chinese fishermen were forced or persuaded by him to carry the injured crew members over difficult mountainous terrain for medical treatment. All the crew were saved from capture as a result of Thatcher's leadership.